OMAR RETURNED 



TO MY MOTHER. 

The fleeting years may come and go, 
But mem'ry spans Time's farthest space; 
Thus ever, when the roses blow, 
The fairest roses frame her face. 



OMAR RETURNED 



The SEQUEL to the RUBAIYAT 
OF OMAR KHAYYAM ihe 
ASTRONOMER POET of PERSIA, 

by RICHARD ASHLEY FORREST 



JUTHORS EDITION 



FOLEY & PERRY C O M P A N Y, Pnn/ers 

623 F Street Northwest .' . .'. .-. WASHINGTON 



.(955 



OS 



Copyright, 1922. 
By Paul R. Shailek 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 



All Ti.ihts raseroed. 



Copyright 1922, in Great Britian. Ireland and British possessions 

©CI.A654463 
FEB-i 1922 



BELOVED 



OMAR : some say — is dead — and Romance, too. 
More fitted to Old Days than to the New ; 
Nay! say not so — Death's Shadows flee away — 
Omar and Romance live again — for You. 

Love is Immortal! and I see its Spark 

Oft as I wander through sweet Paths at Dark, 

Belov'd of Lovers, of this later Day; 
Plighting their vows in secret, in The Park: 

Romance returns— as Springtime comes again, 
Youth's call to Youth; is never made in vain 

Whether it be in far-off Naishapur— 
Or on a Buss-top — 'mid the April Rain. 

And as for Omar : who shall say that He 
Sleeps in His s^Garden— for Eternity? 

Is it so strange that He should come again — 
Or that His Spirit speak once more — through Me? 



* Omar desired his grave to b« near some, "Not unfrequeuted Garden-side. 



BELOVED 



Or Who shall question that the Tale here told, 
Wherein the Future and the Past unfold, 
Is not that Answer to our Human Fate 
Long sought by Omar — and by Him unroU'd? 



This is The Door! — let Omar turn the Key, 
This is The Veil He pierced that You might See; 

Thus having Seen, may Peace forever more 
Abide with Omar; and abide with Thee. 



niCHA'R'D JISHLEY FORREST, 



OMAR RETURNED 



RISE ! For the Powerful Lord of Day and Night 
O'erwhelms Death's strongholds in His rising might, 
E*en as the Sun doth drown with radiant Fire 
Manhattan's Towers in a Hood of Light. 



II 
Thus, in a Clarion-call that seem'd to chide. 

An unseen Voice from out The Vastness cried, 
"Behold ! The City is prepared — make haste- 
Why waits the Soul of Omar still outside?" 



Ill 

Then like a strong Wind in a sudden blast, 
Came rushing upward from the hidden Past 

Sweet Mem'ries of the scenes of other Days, 
Wherein I liv'd, and lov'd, and breathed my last 

IV 

Once more I dwelt in ancient Naishapur, 
And felt the gentle, spicy Breezes lure 

Me to my Garden 'neath the fragrant Bough, 
To greet dear Friends of old so tried and sure. 



OMAR RETURNED 



But ere I hasten'd to the Garden-side, 
Again I felt the swiftly-rushing Tide 

Of Mem'ry sweep me on to Other Shores, 
Where Past and Future meet — ne'er to divide. 



VI 

Again I saw those Messengers of Light 

Who bade me here return, and once more write 

Of all the myst'ry of Keav'n and Hell; 
That heeding Men may learn to walk aright: 

VII 

The Answer which I sought, but could not find, 
In Days of Old, when darkened and made blind 

By all the Vapors of my Earth-bound Soul, 
Rising betwixt me and The Master's Mind : 



VIII 

Unrav'ling the Knot of Human Fate, 

Which comes to all Earth's Children soon or late. 

And as each winds, or binds, for Good or 111, 
Makes clear the Road to Hell— or Heav'n's Gate. 



OMAR RETURNED 



IX 

This is the Truth that slays the False of Old, 
Turns Lead of Doubt to shining^ purest Gold 
Of Sure Belief, that you shall one Daj/^ see, 
The wondr'us Whole of What I part have told. 



Now in the West, as in those Days of Yore, 
I like to watch the Passers-by and pore 

With keen perception o'er their Acts and Thoughts; 
All the deep Secrets of their Lives explore. 



XI 

So come with me! with Omar you shall see 
The lives of Men stript to Reality, 

With all false gloss and glitter swept away, 
Man as he is; not what he seems to be. 



XII 

For some crave Wealth; and dwell from day to day 
Seeking the madness of its tyrant sway; 

Which, having gain'd, they bind their free-born Souls, 
As to their Loves, in passion rash, they say: 



OMAR RETURNED 



XIII 

"A Palace on the *Drive* where Flunkeys bow, 
A Swift-Six, and a well-lined Purse — and Thou 

Beside me, singing 'mid the Costliness — 
Oh, Costliness were Paradise enow! 



XIV 

"Some for the Glories of This World ; and some 
Sigh for a Saintly Paradise to come; 

I'll take my Cash, and do my Living NOW, 
Nor fear the Future e'er can make me dumb." 



XV 

Look to the surging Crowds about us — "Lo!" 
Laughing they say, "Into the World I blow 
At once the golden Treasure of my purse. 
Tear, and its Treasure on my Pleasure throw." 



OMAR RETURNED 



XVI 

And those who husbanded by saving Strain, 
And those who flung it to the Winds Hke Rain, 

Alike to no such rosy Past are turn'd 
As, left behind, Men wish recalled again. 

XVII 

The Hopes and Joys men set their Hearts upon 
Turn bitter — or if prospered, yet anon, 

Like Snow upon the Asphalt's dusty Face, 
Endure a little space; and then — are gone. 

XVIII 

Think! in these lofty towers that line Broadway, 
Whose blazing Lights turn darkest Night to Day, 

How Financier and Magnate with his Power 
Abode his little Hour, then went his way. 

XIX 

They say these Halls forevermore shall keep 

The Tale of how They labored and wrought deep; 

Ere They went forth — to Work beyond the Sun 
Called by that Builder, Who shall never sleep. 



OMAR RETURNED 



XX 

I sometimes think that never towers so high 
A dizzy Office Building to the Sky, 

But for each Story which so proudly rears. 
Progress decrees some Man shall fall to Die: 

XXI 

And e*en this out-flung Balcony on which we lean, 
Watching the River's swiftly changing Sheen — 

Ah, lean upon it lightly ! for who knows 
By what once fearless Heart 'twas raised unseen! 

XXII 

Ah, my beloved, our deep Faith shall clear 
The Past of vain Regrets, nor Future fear; 

What recks it, if Tomorrow we shall be 
Ourselves with Yesterday's Ten Trillion Years? 

XXIII 

For Some who loved and laughed, among our best 
Time from the Streets and Avenues has prest, 

Each laughed and loved a little space, and then — 
They One by One went silently to rest. 



OMAR RETURNED 



XXIV 

And we, who now make merry in the Room 
Thus left, each Summer garlanded with bloom, 

Shall we, like Roses, one day fade away; 
Lie like the Roses 'neath cold Winter's gloom? 

XXV 

Nay ! make the most of what you Here may do, 
Should Others shirk their Duty ; do not you ; 
"Dust unto Dust," is but an outworn Lie, 
Death is\ya«V Sting— You yet shall LIVE ANEW! 

XXVI 

Alike for those who for TODAY prepare, 
And those that for TOMORROW have no care, 

A Voice from out the Conscious wakes and cries, 
**Blind Fools! Their Reward is both Here— and There." 



XXVII 

For all the Untruthful Sages who discussed 
Of narrow Creeds and Isms — Will be thrust 

Like unwise Virgins out ; their Words in Scorn 
Dispersed, and their mouthings stopt by Dtist. 



OMAR RETURNED 



XXVIII 

Myself, when young, in somber vestments clad, 
To all Their turmoil harkened, and was Sad, 
But soon I saw its emptiness, and then — 
I found God's Truth and evermore was Glad. 



XXIX 

With them "The Ancient Wisdom" did I sow, 

And with mine own Prayers sought to make it grow; 

That in God's time the Harvest might be reap'd — 
The Truth declared; their Hearts speak out; "I KNOW, 

XXX 

Into this Cosmic Scheme and WHY not knowing, 
Nor Whence, like Rose Leaves willy-nilly blowing; 

And out of it, as Wind in void of Space, 
They know not Whither nor persist in Knowing. 

XXXI 

Thus, without seeking, hither hurried Whencef 
They know not Whither, they are hurried hence ! 

Oh, such self-righteous Pose would seem to try 
The Master's Heart, with Their blind indolence ! 



OMAR RETURNED 



XXXII 

For in what other Teaching can be found 
Save in Grand Evolution Round on Round, 

The secret of the Knot of Human Fate 
Which the dread Hand of God Himself hath wound. 

XXXIII 

This zvas the Door to nfhich I found the Key : 
This was the Veil tJirongh which I learned to See: 

Some little while of Me and Thee will be 
And then — no more of Me but only Thee. 

XXXIV 

Earth sings this answer ; and the Seas that shame 
All Their vain doubtings, of The Lords of Flame ;* 
'Neath rolling Heaven, with all His Signs reveal'd 
Thunder this Answer in His Holy Name. 

XXXV 

The Spark of God in Me who works behind 
The Veil was lighted ; and my eyes now find 

A Light amid the Darkness, which has said, 
"The Dawn is breaking. They Shall Not Be Blind." 



The Four Kumaras — Four of the Lords of the Flame, still living in Shamballa. 

9 



OMAR RETURNED 



XXXVI 

Then to the Door of Pray'r I humbly turn*d, 
Where the deep Secrets of this Life are learn'd; 
And to my Ear it murmured — "While you live, 
Strive ! for, some Day you shall Return." 

XXXVII 

Gone were the Doubts, that I a fugitive 

Must flee from Death, and nevermore might Live, 

What joy to know that loving Lips IVe kiss'd 
May ever countless Kisses take — and give! 

XXXVIII 

For this remember as you climb the Way 
That leads you ever Upward, day by day; 

A PrayV should lightly rest upon your Tongue 
Which, oft, for weary Brothers too should pray. 



XXXIX 

Consider not this as a Story old, 

Too often passed your Ears unheeded roird, 

For Prayer can raise the humblest Clod of Earth 
To shine Celestial in a God-like mold. 



10 



OMAR RETURNED 



XL 

And not a drop of Gladness that we throw 
Out to Another, but we yet shall know 

Its sure return ; in some yet future Day 
To us — from out the Long Ago. 

XLI 

As the fair Lilies of the Field look up 

To Heav'n for their sure and bounteous sup 

Do you most humbly trust your Father's Will, 
Knowing He overEows His Children's Cup. 

XLII 

No more with Human Mind try to divine; 
Tomorrow's troubles unto God resign, 

Nor doubt The Master's Power you know not of 
To guide Your falt'ring Steps — as well as Mine. 

XLIII 

And, as of Life you drink, and Onward press, 
He in Whom All begins, and ends in — Yes; 

He shall decree Today, what Yesterday 
You deemed Impossible for Mind to Guess. 



11 



OMAR RETURNED 



XLIV 

So when the Angel by the River-brink 

That Men call Death ; holds to your Lips the Drink 

Which from your Body calls your eager Soul, 
Bid it go blithely, without pause — to shrink. 

XLV 

Thus will your Soul fling hind'ring Doubts aside, 
And Joy'us to the Realm of Heav*n ride, 

Where broader Fields of Labor wait for him 
Loosed from his Earthly Garment cast aside. 

XLVI 

Our Journey here is but a one-day's rest 
Made by a Pilgrim, on a Heav'nly quest; 
His Soul arises, and The Master's Hand 
His Couch arranges for another Guest. 

XLVII 

And fear not this Existence closing, your 
Life and mine should drink of life no more; 

Out from His Bowl we have for Aeons pour*d, 
And on for countless Aeons still — will pour. 



12 



OMAR RETURNED 



XLVIII 



When You and I behind the Veil are pas't, 
What recks it if the World shall end or last, 
'Twill spin until it has fulfilled His needs, 
Then vanish as a Bubble downward cast. 



XLIX 

No Moments halt— no, not a Second's waste 
Wherein your being, of Despair may taste; 

Fie has prepared the Journey and the Goal, 
His sure Perfection knows not pause — nor haste. 



Each instant of Existence here you spend 
Can, if you will it, fit His Plan, my Friend, 

For as each Hair is numbered on your Head- 
So much may oft on Words and Deeds depend. 



LI 

He puts a Veil between the False and True, 
And only he who seeks shall find the clue; 

Within the Door of Prayer turn soft the Key, 
Unlock the Treasure He has stored for YOU. 



13 



OMAR RETURNED 



LII 

Whose secret Presence since Creation's morn 
Was waiting when your eager Soul was born, 

For you to claim it as a rightful Heir, 
Make glad your Heart, laugh Human Fear to scorn. 

LZII 

For Some have guessed — then down behind the Fold 
Of soul-destroying Darkness back have roll'd 

But through the Vastness of Eternity 
They shall return, the Truth to seek— Behold! 

LIV 

No Souls in vain down on the stubborn floor 
Of self-made Hell to Heaven shall implore, 
The Master's watchful Eye forever waits 
To raise them up— give Peace forevermore. 

LV 

Waste not one Hour in any vain pursuit, 
Your God-like Purpose let no Man dispute. 

Within your Deeds is fashioned sure Reward 
Of everlasting Bliss— or Dead Sea fruit. 



14 



OMAR RETURNED 



LVI 

In other Days with many a wild carouse 
Men thought to find a satisfying Spouse, 

For all the questings of their restless Souls 
In barren Reason*s Solitary House. 



LVII 

For, though dimensions you with Rule and Line 
In all things Earthly can with ease define. 

By Logic you can never reach the Door 
Though you should search till all the Stars decline. 



LVlfl 

Oh! but wise computations, People say. 
By men of Science show no need to Pray; 
Believing this, they never learn to See 
Rosy Tomorrow, but dead Yesterday. 



LIX 

But lately, to my Chamber Door agape, 

Came shining bright one Eve an Angel Shape 

Bearing a Tablet on His shoulder, and 
He said : "Write I let not a word escape." 



IS 



OMAR RETURNED 



LX 

"The Truth that can with Logic absolute 
All of Man's fiercely jarring Sects confute, 

When used by God, the Alchemist, Who can 
The Gold of Truth from Leaden Doubt transmute. 



LXI 

"The mighty Champion sent us by the Lord, 
Before whose swift and ever-flaming Sword 

Black Fears and Sorrows come to plague our Souls 
Must flee with all their cringing, wicked, Horde. 



LXII 

"Thus, by the Grace of God, you dare 
Brand as a Deception and a Snare 

All tv/isted Doctrines of unseeing Minds, 
Seeking your Soul when It is unaware. 

LXIII 

"This is the Balm of Life, which must 
Be lived, as well as ta'en on trust. 

Which from the Master's Hand you take to drink, 
UpHft your Soul—fling Sorrow in the Dust! 

16 



OMAR RETURNED 



LXIV 

"So Hell is lost, and sight of Paradise 
Lies clear reflected, in the loving Eyes 

Of all His Pilgrims on the chosen Path 
Lit by Truth's Light that burns, but never dies. 

LXV 

"Nor is it strange that of the millions who 

Have passed this way, none should return to you, 

He, worketh hitherto, and they — ? 
Perchance they too, have loving Tasks to do.'' 

LXVI 

This Law of Truth I studied long and learn'd. 
Until its message in my Soul was burn'd 

So deep, that from Its teachings nevermore 
Have I strayed slightly, but have quick return'd. 

LXVII 

My Soul went forth through the Invisible, 
And saw strange Sights in Heav'n and in Hell, 

For all the tortur'd of the Pit cry out 
For this same Truth to work its healing Spell : 

17 



OMAR RETURNED 



LXVIII 



By Truth alone can they thus quench the Fire 
Which in their Souls was kindled by Desire, 

And all its train of Wickedness and Sin, 
That must die out ere they can Heav*n aspire. 



LXXX 

The Universe is like a changing Show 

Of blazing Suns and spinning Worlds that go 

Swinging forever on their fiery Course, 
So vast that none save God may ever know: 

LXX 

Not helpless Pawns of some blind Fate that lays 
A curse of Discord on their Nights and Days; 

But Spheres whose Music lifts, and grips, and sways 
Our Hearts and Souls, as in fond Love He plays. 



LXXI 

Each Chain and System as it comes and goes 
With sure precision, a last Answer throws 

To any who should question or, should doubt. 
He knows about it all — He knows! HE knows! 



18 



OMAR RETURNED 



LXXII 

Thus doth God's Finger write ; and, having writ 
Let him who braves His Judgment, cancel it 

By e'en so much as even half a Line 
Or dim the Light of Truth His Hand hath lit. 



LXXIII 

Better to lose his Life than cursed be, 
Better a thousand times it seems to me, 

A Millstone round about his Neck had hung; 
And Stone and Man were sunk beneath the Sea : 



LXXIV 

Than that one Word, against His Truth be spoke. 
Bringing the sure and swift-avenging stroke 

Of Retribution on the luckless Wight, 
Who dared the blasting Law of God invoke. 

LXXV 

Read this with Gladness, that you may prepare 
Your Soul for Triumph; and not black Despair; 
See! this the Road on which you go, and why; 
KNOW ! at the End, God will be waiting THERE. 



19 



OMAR RETURNED 



LXXVI 

I tell you this — When, started for the Goal, 
None shall have Power to halt your rushing Soul, 
No Will save yours shall dim its steady Light 
Burn'd free from Sin, as Fire burns pure a Coal. 

LXXVII 

The Truth puts forth a fibre; which about 
Clings your whole being — let the Scoffers flout: 

Of its pure Metal may be filed the Key 
That shall unlock the Door they stand without. 

LXXVIII 

This also know: that where the one True Light 
Burns pure with Love, the Blackness of the Night, 

May ne'er return to vex His chosen Band, 
Who have forevermore attained to Sight. 



20 



OMAR RETURNED 



LXXIX 

The Angel came again and spake once more 
Mid flashing, blinding Flames that seemed to soar 
From Earth to Heav'n in shining Bands of Light 
That played about His Head and by the Door. 



LXXX 

"Write on O Scribe, that he who reads may SEE ; 
Write not the Past, but what is yet to be ; 

WRITE ! for the destined Hour at last is come — 
Write! not of Death—but IMMORTALITY/' 



LXXXI 

Thus, at the SHINING ONE'S direct behest, 
Ere Scroll is roll'd or weary Hand seeks rest 

It is decreed that all who read may learn 
Of that New Land now rising in the West. 



LXXXII 

E'en now, far out beyond the Golden Gate, 
Its Mountains form fair Isles that soon or late 

Will be the Home of a new Race of Men, 
Surpassing all whom Earth has counted great. 



21 



OMAR RETURNED 



LXXXIII 

Once more, where now the Billows run 
It is decreed ere yet her Time is done 

Lemuria from her Ocean Bed shall rise 
To lie again beneath the smiling Sun. 

LXXXIV 

Then, after Ages pass, another Round; 
In which far greater Progress yet is found. 

Will come to go, as Earth shall lie obscured, 
While Mercury glows where Light and Life abound, 

LXXXV 

Mercurial Day will fade with passing Years, 
Its life-stream passing on to other Spheres 

Which shall in turn have each their Day and Age: 
Their Hour of triumph — as their Hour of Tears. 

LXXXVI 

Thus ever on — until the Shining Day 

Of High Gods ended, brooding Night holds sway 

0*er the vast System lying in repose; 
As The Preserver on Time's Head, alway. 

22 



OMAR RETURNED 



LXXXVII 

But even then, Man's Future stretches on — 
Down endless Ages Life Immortal shone ; 

My dimm'd Eyes sav/ no further, yet I KNOW 
God loves His Children — dreaded Death is gone. 

LXXXVIII 

'Tis Night — ^about, on ev'ry side, 

Manhattan's Lights shine brightly far and wide ; 

But brighter far this Light to guide Men's Souls, 
Held by The Master, and Unfailing Guide: 

LXXXIX 

The Call has come ! Take now Thy Pilgrim's Rod, 
The Master beckons where His Feet have trod; 

Thus as I go to work in Other Fields, 
With Love I leave this Message— SEEK THY GOD! 



23 



•r^;l4 



